Kiwi man dies at X Factor auditions

A New Zealander has reportedly collapsed and died during auditions for Australian talent show The X Factor.

The 33-year-old man was rehearsing his song alone in a quiet alcove when he collapsed on Friday afternoon, the Sunday Telegraph reported.

He died at nearby St Vincent's Hospital a short time later from a suspected heart issue.

Witnesses told police the man "didn't look very well" in the moments before he fell to the ground, the newspaper reported.

Police confirmed the man was a New Zealand national and had been formally identified by a relative living in Sydney.

A spokesman for FreemantleMedia, the production company behind the X Factor, described the incident as tragic.

"He collapsed late yesterday (Friday) and was treated by medics on site before being transferred by ambulance to St Vincent's Hospital."

None of the show's celebrity judges were present at the audition, which was being held to determine which contestants would appear at filmed auditions later this year.

Natalie Bassingthwaighte, Guy Sebastian, Ronan Keating and Melanie Brown are yet to confirm they will be returning to the Seven Network ratings juggernaut, which last year was won by singer Samantha Jade.